This article discusses the process of transferring the BIM Server software, Project data, User data, Roles data and Libraries from one computer to another. Please note that there are special considerations for this process.Download article in printer-friendly PDF format: Transfer BIM Server.PDF

Overview

There are three primary processes that need to be performed when transferring a BIM Server to another computer:

1. Install the BIM Server software on the new computer. (Make sure to install applicable Hotfixes as well.)

2. Import the Projects, Users and Roles into the newly installed BIM Server using the Server Manager from files or another BIM Server.

3. Upload the applicable Libraries to the new server using the Manage BIM Server Libraries feature in ARCHICAD.Manage BIM Server Libraries

Project files, Users and Roles can be imported into another BIM Server Installation using one of two methods:

Method 1: Export to Files Then Import

Export files from the original BIM Server then Import the files into the new BIM Server installation.

*The advantage here is that the exported files can be archived as back-ups.

STEP 1: Export Teamwork Projects, Users and Roles to Files

Note: You must be a Server Administrator to use this function.
Use the Export command from the Projects, Users and Roles pages of BIM Server Manager to export an existing Teamwork data as a file, from this server to another location. This Export function transforms project data into an easily transportable format with extension .bimproject, .bimusers and .bimroles. These files can be imported to a compatible-version BIM Server later, using the Create Project function.

1. Open the Server Manager on the new machine (preferably the Server Manager that is built into the BIM Server itself.)2. Click on Projects in the Server Manager.3. Select a project or multiple projects, then click Export and choose Selected Projects or All Projects.

attachement: Method 1 Step 03.png

4. Click Options to include optional content. Check the corresponding boxes if you want to include copies of Manual and/or Automatic Backups as part of the exported Teamwork project.5. Click Save to start the Export process.6. Save the files to a folder that can be transported to the new computer or save the files to folder that is accessible by the new computer.7. Follow a similar process to export Users and Roles.

STEP 2: Import Teamwork Projects, Users and Roles from File

Note: You must be a Server Administrator to use this function.
From the Projects page of BIM Server Manager, you can import existing Teamwork project files, users and roles from BIM Server files exported from another BIM Server.

1. Open the Server Manager on the new machine (preferably the Server Manager that is built into the BIM Server itself.)2. Click on Projects in the Server Manager.3. Click Create and choose the Import from File option.4. Browse for the BIM Server files you wish to import.5. Select the Project to be transferred from the list presented and give the project a new name if necessary or accept the given name. When complete the project will appear in the list of projects on the Server Manager. Note: Each project must be imported one at a time using this method. This is for data safety.6. Follow a similar process to import Users and Roles.

Method 2: Import Direct

Import files directly from the original BIM Server into the new installation over the network.

*The advantage here is that time is saved but there will be no export files to keep as a back-up.

Import Teamwork Projects, Users and Roles from Another BIM Server

Note: You must be a Server Administrator to use this function.
From the Projects page of BIM Server Manager, you can import existing Teamwork project files, users and roles from another BIM Server installation within your network.

1. Open the Server Manager on the new machine (preferably the Server Manager that is built into the BIM Server itself.)2. Click on Projects in the Server Manager.3. Click Create and choose the Import from BIM Server option.4. Browse for the BIM Server you wish to import from. You will need to add the other BIM Server the first time you connect to it similar to the process of connecting an ARCHICAD workstation to a BIM Server for the first time.5. Select the Project to be transferred from the list presented and give the project a new name if necessary or accept the given name. When complete the project will appear in the list of projects on the Server Manager. Note: Each project must be imported one at a time using this method. This is done for data safety.6. Follow a similar process to import Users and Roles.

Upload a Library to BIM Server

Note: In a Teamwork Project, only a Server Administrator or Project Administrator can upload libraries to a BIM Server.
If you are moving projects from one BIM Server to another you will need to reference and replicate the Library upload paths for the first BIM Server on the new BIM Server.

1. Go to File > Libraries and Objects > Manage Server Libraries.2. Choose the BIM Server to which you want to upload a library.3. Click Upload.4. Browse for the Source library you need. Uploaded libraries can include PLA or LCF files, or any folders. You cannot upload individual gsm files, just lcf, pla, and regular folders. For each selected library in the list, information is displayed on its source path, the date of upload and the last time it was refreshed from its Source library.5. Click Choose. The library is uploaded and a link to its Source library is established.6. Close the dialog box.

Once libraries are uploaded, individual users can add these BIM Server Libraries to projects, either solo or Teamwork.

Upload Individual Objects to BIM Server

To upload individual objects to the BIM Server, first place them into a folder, then upload the folder.

Special Considerations

Related content

To use a BIM Server Library in a project (either solo or Teamwork), that library must first be uploaded to the BIM Server, using the Manage BIM Server Libraries dialog box. Use this dialog box to view, upload and otherwise manage the libraries on any BIM…

BIM Server Libraries are libraries located on a server, but added to your project. You can add a BIM Server Library to any project, either solo or Teamwork (provided that you can access the BIM Server). The advantage of using server libraries over linked…

[no_toc] "Building information modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle." ( Wikipedia about Building Information Modeling ) Virtual Building was the first implementation of BIM by GRAPHISOFT's ArchiCAD…

Why worry? It is a given that your company will suffer a data loss event. There are too many points of failure for this not to happen: Human failure point Somebody mistakenly “modified” or deleted the project or part of it, Somebody purposely modified…